Let the Madness begin: First Coast hosting ASUN men's, women's tournaments

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Let the Madness begin: First Coast hosting ASUN men's, women's tournaments

Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union · The Florida Times-Union

Mon, Mar 2, 2026 ·

5 min read

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March Madness resumes in Jacksonville this week.

Seven years after the last NCAA Tournament regional was played in the city in 2019, postseason NCAA basketball is back with the ASUN men's and women's tournaments that will begin March 3 (women) and March 4 (men) with first-round games at the University of North Florida's UNF Arena and Jacksonville University's Swisher Gym.

And regardless of what's happened in the previous two months of conference play, every team's hopes ― an NCAA Tournament berth ― are still within reach.

Jacksonville University forward Jaylen Jordon (0) slam dunks the ball during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University forward Jason Thirdkill Jr. (31) reacts to making a shot and getting fouled during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dalton Gayman (21) is denied a shot by Jacksonville University forward Enrico Borio (23) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dalton Cayman (21) is fouled by Jacksonville University forward Jaylen Jordon (0) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

North Florida Dalton Gayman (21) can’t stop Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) slam dunks the ball during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dalton Gayman (21) is introduced before the game. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida head coach Bobby Kennen gets his team excited during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Trey Cady defends Jacksonville University guard Chris Arias (1) as he shoots during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida head coach Bobby Kennen can only watch during the second period as his team trails more than 20 points. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) shoots while being defended by University of North Florida Dalton Gayman (21) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Nestor Dyachok (24) blocks a shot by Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University center Charles Caporaso (22) passes under pressure from University of North Florida Nestor Dyachok (24) and University of North Florida Kamrin Oriol (11) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University guard Hayden Wood (8) and Jacksonville University center Charles Caporaso (22) land on top of University of North Florida Dalton Gayman (21) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Kamrin Oriol (11) is pressured during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Devin Hines (4) makes a layup during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dalton Cayman (21) and University of North Florida BJ Plummer (1) pressures Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University center Charles Caporaso (22) reacts to a 30-7 score during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Kent Jackson (10) drives against Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University guard Jaylen Jones (2) makes a layup during the first period as University of North Florida Kent Jackson (10) defends. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Kamrin Oriol (11) passes under pressure during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Nestor Dyachok (24) is fouled by Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Nestor Dyachok (24) reacts to making the shot and getting fouled by Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Nestor Dyachok (24) knocks the ball away from Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University guard Evan Sterck (34) drives to the basket during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Kamrin Oriol (11) pressures Jacksonville University guard Hayden Wood (8) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida BJ Plummer (1) defends Jacksonville University guard Hayden Wood (8) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

UNF students participate in the Lion King lift during a time out during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dalton Cayman (21) defends Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) spins away from University of North Florida Dalton Cayman (21) to take the shot during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dante Oliver (5) is denied a shot by Jacksonville University forward Donovan Rivers (33) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University guard Chris Lockett Jr. (11) jokes around with teammates during the final seconds of the game. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

University of North Florida Dante Oliver (5) tries to block a pass by Jacksonville University guard Michael Harper Jr. (9) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

Jacksonville University guard Chris Arias (1) and Jacksonville University guard Chris Lockett Jr. (11) celebrate their win. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

"Everyone's 0-0," said UNF coach Bobby Kennen . "Everything we've talked about for the last 37 weeks together is now down to one game. We have to maximize this and put ourselves in the best position each and every play."

Who are the top seeds?

The regular-season ASUN champions and No. 1 seeds are the Central Arkansas men and Eastern Kentucky women.

The Jacksonville men (12-19, 7-11) are eighth-seeded after closing the regular season with victories over Stetson and UNF. The UNF men (7-24, 5-13) are the 10th seed. JU will face No. 9 Bellarmine at Noon on March 4 at UNF Arena and UNF plays No. 6 West Georgia (14-16, 8-10) at 7:30 p.m. at Swisher Gym.

The JU women (21-8, 13-5) are the No. 2 seed and will play their first game at 5 p.m. on March 5 at the VyStar Arena against the winner of a first-round game on March 3 between No. 7 West Georgia and No. 10 UNF (9-19, 4-14), at 5 p.m. at Swisher Gym.

Brawl aftermath: JU, UNF players suspended from ASUN tournament openers

The quarterfinals will be played at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, with the women on March 5 and the men on March 6. The semifinals in both tournaments will be on March 7 at VyStar Arena.

The men's championship game, aired on ESPN2, will be on March 8 at 2 p.m. The women's championship, on ESPNU, will be on March 9 at 5 p.m.

Both winners will get automatic berths in the NCAA Tournament. Those fields will be announced on March 15.

What is Jacksonville's history with the ASUN?

Historically, ASUN men's tournament games have been at the campus of the higher-seeded team. The last time the ASUN men's tournament was in Jacksonville was 2021, when restrictions were still in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Liberty beat North Alabama 79-75 in the championship game.

University of North Florida forward Dezuray McGill (30) and University of North Florida guard/forward Karyzma Pierre (24) pressures Jacksonville University guard Aniah Smith (0) in the fourth period. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Before that, the last time the ASUN played the entire tournament at a neutral site was 2013 in Macon, Ga.

Jacksonville hosted the ASUN men's tournament in 1999 and 2000. Samford defeated UCF in the championship game both years.

The ASUN women played their tournaments in Fort Myers from 2018-2025. The last time the tournament was anywhere else was in 2017 in DeLand. The women's tournament has never been played in its entirety in Jacksonville.

The ASUN moved its headquarters to Jacksonville in 2025.

Where to get ASUN Tournament tickets

Tickets are on sale by visiting asunsports.org/tickets.

First-round sessions, UNF Arena, Swisher Gym (men's and women's): Premium seating, $75; general admission, $25; seniors/military, $20; ASUN students, $10; Group rate (20 or more), $10.
Men's quarterfinal, semifinal and championship sessions, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena: Premium seating, $400; general admission, $100; senior/military, $85.
Women's quarterfinal, semifinal and championship sessions, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena: Premium seating, $275; general admission, $75; senior/military, $65.
Men's single session, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (quarterfinals, semifinals or championship games): Premium seating, $150; general admission, $40; senior/military, $35; ASUN student, $10; group rate, $20 (20 or more).
Women's single session, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (quarterfinals, semifinals or championship games): Premium seating, $100; general admission, $30; senior/military, $25; ASUN student, $10; group rate, $15 (20 or more).

Age 2 and under admitted free to all games.

The ASUN men's and women's basketball tournaments will be in Jacksonville beginning in 2026.

ASUN Men's Tournament schedule

(All games on ESPN+ unless otherwise noted)

March 4

First round

At UNF Arena

No. 8 Bellarmine (12-18) vs. No. 9 Jacksonville (12-10), 12 p.m.

No. 5 Florida Gulf Coast (14-17) vs. No. 12 North Alabama (9-20), 2:30 p.m.

No. 7 Eastern Kentucky (11-20) vs. No. 10 Stetson (11-20), 5 p.m.

At Swisher Gym

No. 6 West Georgia (14-16) vs. No. 11 North Florida (7-24), 7:30 p.m.

March 6

Quarterfinals

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

No. 1 Central Arkansas (20-11) vs. Bellarmine-Jacksonville winner, 12 p.m.

No. 4 Lipscomb (19-12) vs. Florida Gulf Coast-North Alabama winner, 2:30 p.m.

No. 2 Austin Peay (21-8) vs. Eastern Kentucky-Stetson winner, 5 p.m.

No. 3 Queens (18-13) vs. West Georgia-North Florida winner, 7:30 p.m.

March 7

Semifinals

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

5 and 7:30 p.m.

March 8

Championship, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)

ASUN Women's Tournament schedule

(All games on ESPN+ unless otherwise noted)

March 3

First round

At UNF Arena

No. 8 Lipscomb (10-19) vs. No. 9 Austin Peay (16-12), 12 p.m.

No. 5 Florida Gulf Coast (15-14) vs. No. 12 Bellarmine (2-29), 2:30 p.m.

No. 6 North Alabama (16-13) vs. No. 11 Queens (10-19), 7:30 p.m.

At Swisher Gym

No. 7 West Georgia (17-12) vs. No. 10 North Florida (9-20), 5 p.m.

March 5

Quarterfinals

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

No. 1 Eastern Kentucky (24-7) vs. Lipscomb-Austin Peay winner, 12 p.m.

No. 4 Stetson (19-10) vs. Florida Gulf Coast-Bellarmine winner, 2:30 p.m.

No. 2 Jacksonville (21-8) vs. West Georgia-North Florida winner, 5 p.m.

No. 3 Central Arkansas (20-10) vs. North Alabama-Queens winner, 7:30 p.m.

March 7

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Semifinals, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

March 9

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Championship, 5 p.m. (ESPNU).

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: March Madness is back on the First Coast with ASUN men's, women's tournaments

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Who are the top seeds?

What is Jacksonville's history with the ASUN?

Where to get ASUN Tournament tickets

ASUN Men's Tournament schedule

ASUN Women's Tournament schedule